Luo Tiantian choked on her wine, coughing repeatedly.
She looked toward the source of the voice in disbelief. It was a concubine sitting diagonally across from her, dressed in peach-colored palace attire.
The concubine was currently hiding half of her face behind a silk fan, her eyes filled with malice and calculation.
Beside her, another concubine in goose-yellow robes tried to dissuade her in a much lower voice, “Sister Zheng, watch your words! How can the Punishment of the Burning Pillar be used so lightly? The King seems to be in a good mood lately. If you use it now, I fear you might invite the King’s displeasure…”
“Humph, what is there to fear? A tribute girl from a fallen nation, using her charms to bewitch the ruler. Even if the King dotes on her, would she really brush aside the dignity of the entire court and the royal family for her? I can’t stand that aloof look of hers. I have to let her know how powerful I am…”
‘Mieh!!!’
‘Blast her, so that’s the kind of blast she meant?!’
The Punishment of the Burning Pillar involved placing a copper pillar over hot charcoal and making the prisoner walk across it.
They would either be scorched to death by the red-hot metal or fall directly into the coals to be burned alive.
These women… palace intrigue was one thing, but how could they jump straight to a torture package from the very start?
Shouldn’t palace intrigue start with poisoning, framing, or vying for favor to unlock special scenes with guards or the crown prince before finally reigning supreme over the harem?
How did they skip every step and head straight for ultimate physical transcendence?
Did this game give her the wrong script for the harem plot?
‘I just wanted to quietly sing a few songs, grind some favorability, and earn some money for medical bills, mieh!’
[**Palace Intrigue Mission: Preemptive Strike**]
[**Mission Content: In the struggle for the harem, poison them first! Use the special item currently in your possession (already automatically placed in your sleeve) to poison Zheng Fei.**]
[**Mission Rewards: 5 Assistance Points, 10 Game Coins, Special Title: ‘Gongdou Rookie (You actually did it)’**]
[**Failure Penalty: Being toyed with by King You.**]
‘Wait, what do you mean “toyed with by King You”? Which day am I not being toyed with by her?’
This was basically a daily quest.
She accepted!
Luo Tiantian felt around her sleeve like a thief and indeed found a small paper packet. It seemed to contain some kind of powder.
She secretly observed Zheng Fei.
The other woman was talking to the concubine in yellow, occasionally glancing toward her with eyes full of hostility.
A palace maid was currently holding a wine pot, pouring a drink for Zheng Fei.
Taking advantage of everyone’s attention being fixed on the dancers in the hall, Luo Tiantian pretended to casually raise her hand to adjust her hair, secretly pouring the powder.
However, her movements were too clumsy. Her fingers shook from nervousness, causing more than half of the powder to spill onto her own skirt. Only a tiny pinch fell toward the wine cup in front of Zheng Fei… well, next to it, on the fruit plate.
‘It’s over! I missed!’
Luo Tiantian’s heart skipped a beat.
Yet, as luck would have it, Zheng Fei reached out to take a piece of fruit. Her finger landed precisely on the small amount of powder that had fallen onto the edge of the plate.
Unaware, she picked up a grape and elegantly placed it into her mouth.
‘That actually worked?’
[**Palace Intrigue Mission: Preemptive Strike — Complete!**]
[**Mission Rating: E (Your poisoning technique was atrociously clumsy, but through sheer luck and your opponent’s cooperation, the goal was barely achieved).**]
[**Rewards Issued: 5 Assistance Points, 10 Game Coins. You have obtained the Special Title ‘Gongdou Rookie (You actually did it, even though you’re terrible at it)’. Equipped Effect: During palace intrigue-related plots, slightly increases Luck (or the stupidity of your opponents) and slightly reduces the probability of being caught on the spot.**]
‘You’re just mocking me, mieh!’
Luo Tiantian huffed.
She had never done palace intrigue before. Wasn’t it normal for a first-timer to be a bit messy?
Just then, an announcement echoed from outside the hall, “The King has arrived!”
The hall fell silent. The music stopped, the dancers retreated, and everyone rose to offer their greetings.
Just like before, every character present, including the ministers, was female.
Shen Xixi strode in, dressed in majestic royal robes.
She seemed to be in a bad mood, her gaze cold. However, after seeing Luo Tiantian, the corners of her mouth curled into a smile.
“Rise, everyone.” She walked to the main seat and sat down, casually waving away the servants who wanted to pour her wine. Then, she beckoned to Luo Tiantian with a finger.
“My beloved, come here.”
Luo Tiantian pouted and moved toward the main seat.
Shen Xixi reached out, pulling her into her embrace. Luo Tiantian sat sideways on her lap, and the refreshing fragrance of Shen Xixi’s clothes filled her senses. The King’s body was so soft that Luo Tiantian didn’t know where to lean.
In the next second, Shen Xixi pressed Luo Tiantian’s head against her chest.
“Mmh… King… my King, mieh…”
“Still no thank you?”
She could only bury her face deeper into Shen Xixi’s embrace. The tips of her ears and a small section of her neck turned a shade of crimson, looking like a ripe peach.
This ostrich-like shyness only added to the charm in Shen Xixi’s eyes.
The King chuckled softly and stopped her movements for a moment, letting her arm rest there as if declaring ownership.
“Play the music.”
The sounds of silk and bamboo instruments rose again, and the dancers filed back in, dancing gracefully.
Suddenly, Zheng Fei began to look restless. Fine beads of sweat broke out on her forehead, and the hand holding her fan trembled slightly. The way she looked at Shen Xixi became exceptionally burning, filled even with an indescribable longing.
‘Is the medicine taking effect?’
Just as this thought crossed Luo Tiantian’s mind, Zheng Fei stood up so abruptly that she knocked against the table in front of her, spilling some of her wine.
“Your Majesty!”
Zheng Fei’s voice trembled. She pointed at Luo Tiantian and shouted sharply, “Si Meiren actually dared to poison me during the banquet! She intends to murder me! I beg Your Majesty to bring me justice!”
The hall went dead silent.
Every gaze focused on Luo Tiantian.
Luo Tiantian’s head buzzed.
‘I… I was caught? This fast?’
Shen Xixi, who had been leaning lazily against the throne, sat up slightly and looked at Luo Tiantian with curiosity.
Palace intrigue? Poisoning?
She had originally thought this was just a simple script about a decadent ruler and a bewitching concubine enjoying themselves. She hadn’t expected a scene where the harem concubines would tear into each other.
It really was realistic.
How interesting.
“You say Si Meiren poisoned you. Do you have proof? What poison was used, and what are the symptoms?”
Zheng Fei’s breathing was rapid, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were watery. Her body began to twist slightly and uncontrollably.
“Just now, after eating a grape, I felt my body grow hot. My mouth is dry, my throat is parched, and my mind is restless. Si Meiren must have tampered with my food and wine to harm me!”